North Quabbin Community Co-op events raise close to $1,000

North Quabbin Community Coop in the Orange Inovation Center with Coop members Mary-Ann Palmieri of New Salem, George Roix of Athol, Ben Feldman of Athol and Tom Dean of Orange.
(Recorder file photo/Paul Franz)

ORANGE — Two recent fundraisers to support the North Quabbin Community Co-op’s expansion into downtown Orange have netted close to $1,000. The community market, which specializes in selling locally grown and sourced food and products, is now about halfway to its goal of raising $78,000 to fund its move from the Orange Innovation Center to a new storefront location in the downtown.

“We are so grateful for the support that the community is showing for a vibrant market in downtown Orange,” said Amy Borezo, president of the co-op board. “All of the donations made over the past year will add up to big change for the North Quabbin.”

The co-op’s board has been working over the past year to secure a storefront that will provide greater visibility, adequate floor space to expand inventory and product offerings, and convenient street-level entrance and parking.

“The two fundraisers we hosted at Bohemian Kitchen and Millers River Cafe were a lot of fun,” said state Rep. Denise Andrews. “I was happy to do my part to help this wonderful community institution grow and I’m grateful to everyone that came out to show their support, especially to those who gave so generously. Bohemian Kitchen and Millers River Cafe put out a great spread, we had wonderful music, it was a blast.”

Building on the momentum of the recent fundraisers, together with two grants from Franklin Community Co-op and the North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival, the board has now launched the “Grow the North Quabbin Community Co-op!” Kickstarter fundraising campaign with a goal of raising an additional $7,500 by Feb. 13.